COBERM 4 – Call for Project Ideas | United Nations Development Programme

COBERM 4 – Call for Project Ideas

Round 1

July 25, 2019

The Confidence Building Early Response Mechanism (COBERM), a joint EU-UNDP initiative, is soliciting innovative project ideas from representatives of civil society, including registered local and international non-governmental organizations, foundations and academia that are in line with the following aims:

1) Support innovative, grassroots initiatives with tangible impact on confidence building;

2) Contribute to further enhancement of an enabling environment conducive to peace, stability and human security;

3) Foster academic research and analysis in the sphere of confidence building and peace.

Background

COBERM is an apolitical, impartial and flexible joint EU-UNDP programme funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP. Since its launch in 2010, COBERM continues to provide a neutral ground for addressing the prevailing needs of the local communities, including post-conflict isolation and low capacities, as well as for the development of new approaches to peace and confidence building. Implemented in three phases during 2010-2018, COBERM entered its fourth phase in May 2019. Through its grant programme, COBERM supports initiatives of local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in a wide range of areas aiming to pursue sustainable peace.

Purpose of the call

The purpose of the call is to identify project ideas that propose increased and sustainable cooperation, with a demonstrable positive impact on the building of trust between societies affected by conflict, as well as on the attitudes and perceptions leading to confidence building and reconciliation.

Priority will be given to:

Initiatives that demonstrate long-term cooperation prospects, strengthen relations and communication between experts, professionals, organizations and local communities affected by conflict, and propose scaled-up partnerships on practical issues of mutual concern with an observable impact on confidence building mainly focusing on, but not limited to health, environment, education, culture, technology enabled services, gender issues and initiatives mainstreaming Women, Peace and Security perspectives in alignment with the UNSCR 1325.
Initiatives that propose particularly new approaches responding to the broader spectrum of confidence building and/or addressing the challenges of communities particularly affected by the conflict;
Initiatives envisaging intra-society discussions on confidence building initiatives, withstanding fake news and disinformation, preventing hate speech and changing stereotypes within the society, which positively shape the attitudes and perceptions, broaden the base for peacebuilding and strengthen local ownership of peace initiatives;
Initiatives with strong analytical and/or academic research component coming from CSOs, as well as academia, expert community, etc.;
Initiatives with strong conflict and/or crisis prevention elements that aim to address conflict triggers within the communities will also be considered on an exceptional basis.

COBERM IV thematic priorities are flexible as long as the project idea demonstrates strong confidence building potential.

IMPORTANT:

To ensure diversification of activities and implementers, the maximum requested funding per organization can be no more than 120,000 USD. A funding cap for organizations with less than 3 years of experience will be established on a case by case basis by the Steering Committee. Co-financing or in-kind contribution by the applicant is encouraged.

Project maximum duration

1.5 years with possibility for extension.

Deadline for Applications

We are now accepting project ideas until 2 September 2019, 18:00. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.

Submission of Project Ideas

If you have a project idea, which contributes to COBERM objectives, please complete a standard Project Idea Submission Form (see a download link on the right side of this page) and submit it electronically to coberm@undp.org.

Criteria for project ideas’ selection

1) Relevance to the above-described aims of COBERM;

2) Extent to which the action addresses the needs of people and local communities affected by conflict and provides tangible impact on improving their lives;

3) Do no harm approach - mitigating any potential negative effects as a result of project activities and its sensitivity;

4) Targeting interaction among conflict affected groups and communities, with a special focus on women and youth, and/or gender equality and equal opportunities, demonstrating alignment with the UNSCR 1325 and UNSCR 2250 and ensures that it addresses the need to engage, empower, protect and support women, girls and youth in the pursuit of sustainable peace;

5) Feasibility of the project – problem identification, soundness of analysis of the potential risks and evidence of ability to contribute to addressing them, analysis of external stakeholders, etc.;

6) Measurable and realistic long-term results/outcomes (objectively verifiable indicators);

7) Demonstrated sustainability of proposed efforts;

8) Cost-efficiency and sound alignment of resources with expected project results.

Selection process

All project ideas will be reviewed by the EU/UNDP Evaluation Committee and the Steering Committee. The EU/UNDP Steering Committee will decide who will be invited to submit a full project proposal, and selected applicants will be notified accordingly. Final applicants may be invited for an interview by Steering Committee members.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

Be officially registered as non-commercial, non-profit organisation;
Have sufficient administrative, financial and technical capacity to implement a project;
Desirably, demonstrate good track record of working with donors in the past.

IMPORTANT:

While priority will be given to local NGOs, international NGOs are also welcome to apply; however, particular attention will be given to the cost-efficiency factor (INGOs are encouraged to search for cofunding) and added value of international standing. International CSOs can also apply in partnership with local NGOs. CSO consortiums, as well as newly established organizations or organizations with no experience of working with international donors are also encouraged to submit project ideas, as long as the other criteria mentioned above are met.
Women’s and/or women-led organizations, as well as youth organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Priority will be given to innovative, strategic, creative, targeted actions with high potential of confidence building and those that propose a clear vision of change, sustainability, multiplier effect, local ownership. Applicants who have previously submitted project ideas to COBERM but were not selected are welcome to re-apply with a new project idea, if it fully meets eligibility criteria.
One organisation is allowed to submit more than one project idea. Submission of parallel projects is also encouraged.

Disclaimer

COBERM will acknowledge the receipt of each application within 3 business days. Please contact us if you have not received a confirmation at coberm@undp.org;

UNDP is not responsible for any technical problems that might result in delays in the receipt and/or loss of your application(s).